HIST 383 Lecture 6: Patriarchy, Gender, and Sexuality
Document Summary
1838, charles darwin; founding father of modern biology. At that time, he was 29 years old, just completed his famous voyage after leaving. Cambridge, small, private income; he was about to get married. He decided to draw a pro/con sheet to decide whether he should marry his cousin. Favourable: children, constant companion, a friend in old age, a playmate, home, clas- sics and music and female chitchat. Being forced to visit relatives and relations (he crossed this off favourable) Not favourable: no children, no second life, no one to care for someone in old age. Advantages to bachelorhood: freedom, choice of society, conversation of clever men at clubs, not to bend at every trifle, not have to visit relatives. If wife does not london, then banishment. 19th jan 1839: he married emma wedgewood; he settled in a remote village in kent; continued work until publishing origin of species later. Reproduction, companionship, and the potentially civilizing influence of a woman.
